Sanchez Doubtful For Arsenal Clash With Villa

Arsenal will assess Alexis Sanchez’s hamstring injury before determining his fitness for the Premier League visit of Aston Villa, manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed.

The Chile international was left on the bench from the start of the Gunners’ FA Cup win over Brighton and Hove Albion but played the last 20 minutes at the Amex Stadium after replacing Theo Walcott.

But Sanchez, Arsenal’s top scorer this season with 10 goals in all competitions, picked up a hamstring strain during the week and is now a doubt for the resumption of the club’s domestic league campaign.

Wenger has said however that new signing Gabriel Paulista could be available to make his debut against Villa after the club clinched the signing of the Brazil defender from Villarreal.

“The squad will be exactly the same as last Sunday,” he said. “The only uncertainty we have is Alexis Sanchez who has a hamstring concern and that will be decided on Saturday.”

“He might be out for Sunday. The only [other] difference is that Gabriel is available and we’ll check how he is physically but he should be alright to be available.”